Tennessee guard Jaime Nared (31) has a shot blocked by Ole Miss forward Promise Taylor (55) during Tennessee’s home basketball game against Ole Miss at Thompson-Boling Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2018.

STARKVILLE — Promise Taylor’s announcement Monday that she will transfer from Ole Miss to Mississippi State was the latest sign that 1.) the Bulldogs are recruiting well enough to remain elite and 2.) the gap between the in-state programs continues to widen.

The addition of Taylor is a significant boost for Mississippi State’s plans beyond this upcoming season. Taylor, a power forward, is expected to redshirt this season, per SEC transfer rules, but would have three years of eligibility left and would be part of an impressive future that features Myah Taylor, UConn transfer Andra Espinoza-Hunter and the incoming freshmen. Taylor, who earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season, has the skill-set and size (6-foot-5) to be heir apparent to rising senior Teaira McCowan, arguably the nation’s best player.

A rare bright spot for Ole Miss last season, Taylor averaged 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, but her calling cards as a player are her shot-blocking prowess and touch around the rim. Taylor shot 60.7 percent from the field, which led the SEC, and her 2.6 blocks per game were third in the league behind South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson and Georgia’s Caliya Robinson. Taylor's 82 blocks last season set a new record for Ole Miss.

Taylor announced her intention to leave Ole Miss on May 1 via Twitter. In a lengthy note, she discussed moving "2,378 miles" from her home in Washington to Ole Miss, where she said she experienced the most memorable year of her life, and cited "significant changes in the program," as the reason for her decision. Former Ole Miss coach Matt Insell "mutually parted ways" with the program on March 2 after going 70-87 in his five seasons in Oxford. Ole Miss went 12-19 overall and 1-15 in the SEC last season.

Ole Miss hired Yolett McPhee-McCuin from Jacksonville last month to try and turn things around, but only seven players are currently listed on its roster.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State — which has beaten Ole Miss nine-straight times with the last couple of victories coming in lopsided fashion — is doing what teams that make back-to-back national championship appearances should do. It is attracting high-end talent and addressing future concerns.

The Bulldogs' front court has a shot this season to be one of the best in the country. McCowan's presence alone puts Mississippi State in that conversation, but sources close to the program feel good about the chances of landing Texas A&M transfer forward Anriel Howard, the second-best rebounder in the SEC behind McCowan. As a grad transfer, Howard would have one year of eligibility left and would need a waiver to be eligible immediately at a new SEC school, but there's a strong sense that will happen.

Incoming 6-foot-5 freshman center Daphane White (St. Martin) is expected to be able to contribute this season on both ends of the court. Freshman Jessika Carter, who is also 6-foot-5, has a shot at doing the same. Iggy Allen and Chloe Bibby are also capable options at power forward for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs don't plan on needing Taylor this season.

But the year after on a team with a pair of former five-star guards in Taylor and Espinoza-Hunter?